Short Fiction · Chapter
The Jesting of Arlington Stringham explained
Arlington Stringham, a Member of Parliament, makes a joke in the House of Commons, which is noted in the papers.
What happens
Arlington Stringham, a Member of Parliament, makes a joke in the House of Commons, which is noted in the papers. His wife Eleanor is disturbed by this uncharacteristic behavior, seeing it as the beginning of a rift in their marriage. She grows increasingly irritated with his attempts at humor, especially after discovering that his witticisms are borrowed from Lady Isobel. The tension culminates in Eleanor's death from an overdose of chloral, which Clovis attributes to domestic sorrow, while Arlington remains unaware of the full impact of his jesting.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
Eleanor's outward disapproval of Arlington's jokes masks her own insecurities and the underlying decay of their marriage, while Arlington's borrowed wit from Lady Isobel highlights the superficiality of social humor.
Gender Roles and Marriage
The strained relationship between Arlington and Eleanor reflects the expectations of marriage and communication in Edwardian society, where Eleanor's domestic frustrations and Arlington's obliviousness lead to tragedy.
Characters to notice
- Clovis Sangrail
Dines with the Stringhams and makes witty remarks about meringues and his aunt.
- Bertie van Tahn
Mentioned as coming to dinner with Clovis, but does not speak.
Key passages
“Arlington Stringham made a joke in the House of Commons. It was a thin House, and a very thin joke; something about the Anglo-Saxon race having a great many angles.”
Arlington Stringham told a weak joke in a sparsely attended session of Parliament, remarking that the Anglo-Saxon race has many angles.
The joke is described as thin and poorly received, marking the beginning of Arlington's comedic attempts.
“The death of Eleanor Stringham from an overdose of chloral, occurring at the end of a rather uneventful season, excited a certain amount of unobtrusive speculation.”
Eleanor Stringham died from an overdose of chloral at the close of an uneventful social season, prompting quiet gossip.
The ambiguous nature of her death leaves room for speculation about domestic unhappiness.